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This was the first time I’ve made quilt blocks with linen. I starched the crap out of it. Not sure if it was necessary, but I did anyway.

It’s also the first time I’ve done rows of straight line quilting. These are spaced at 1″ and it wasn’t as bad as I thought it would be.

Breepickles suggested quilting concentric circles, which would have been awesome, but I’m not comfortable doing that yet. Feel I should play with that style before attempting an entire quilt.

Quilting:
Aurifil’s Medium Turquoise (#5006) cotton in 50 wt matched the backing perfectly. Then I used my absolute favorite color, Platinum (#2912) for the front. The Platinum blends into the Kaufman yarn-dyed linen and doesn’t take away from the bright quilting cottons.

I figured as long as I used the same weight of thread for the top and bobbin, it was okay to use 2 different colors.

Crinkles make me happy.

It does annoy me when when the fabric in some straight line quilting twists and turns between the rows. Luckily I got away without that happening and I didn’t switch directions between rows. Nope! I’m a rebel.

My machine (Janome Memory Craft 6600p) has a really nice built in walking foot so all the layers stayed put. To be honest, I think not switching directions between rows helped prevent that twisty-turny that bothers me so.

Rows of straight line quilting doesn’t freak me out now that I’ve done it. Next time I’d like to try skinnier rows or random spacing.

I cut 6.5″ strips of fabric and used the 30 degree mark on my ruler to cut the triangles. Elizabeth has a template if you are not comfortable doing that. I also used my ruler for the corner triangles, but she provides a template for that too!

If you make one, definitely play and look at pictures first. Some people make all their blocks using alternating solid/print with some of the corners a print. Then lay them out all the same, while others rotate every other block. There really are tons of options!

I used more of the Kaufman linen for the hand stitched binding. Linen has such a nice texture and it just makes me feel all fancy.

The backing is Free Spirit’s voile in Mist from Cucire. I heart, heart, heart it. Soooo soft. After loving it on the back of a baby quilt, I decided to spoil myself.

And, of course, I added a label. I used to embroider them, but this works well too. You can order labels and save 5% using code 627handworks at Ikaprint! *wink wink*

It measures 72″ x 60″ which is great for the sofa and I’m keeping it for myself (shocker). Let’s see if any of my family members can pry it from my hands. Doubt it.

37 Comments
to “Kaleidoscope Quilt”

Gah! I am halfway through quilting a quilt like you have done and mine has gone all wonky!!! I starched the top, spray AND pin basted, used my walking foot and it has still gone wonky! I have quilt and quilting envy hehe! 😉

I love it! Love the linen, love the straight line quilting (I haven’t done straight lines as close as yours are, but I also don’t switch directions and find it works out better). And I love the turquoise backing! I just finished two quilts with turquoise backing too, one in voile (a print) and I loooove how it feels and one in a solid turquoise (but not voile). Great colour in your quilt!

If you get kicked out for spray basting, I’ll be right on your heels The quilt looks great, and thanks for the info about the labels. I was curious enough that I was going to ask how you got them. Enjoy keeping a quilt for yourself!

They are located in France but turn-around time is really fast. Code 627handworks for 5% off your order. Mine tags are navy with silver and I love them. They are silky feeling and I’ve washed them a lot without any changes.

This may be a post from a few years ago, but I’ve just come across it and I want to say that this quilt is stunning! I’m going to have a look for the original templates and quilt along party. Been meaning to do a kaleidoscope quilt for ages now.